Top cop who conducted sting on Hasan Ali suspended

The Maharashtra government on Monday suspended a senior IPS officer who had allegedly carried out a “sting operation” while interrogating Hasan Ali Khan, the Pune-based stud farm owner facing charges of money laundering and tax evasion.

The Maharashtra government on Monday suspended a senior IPS officer who had allegedly carried out a “sting operation” while interrogating Hasan Ali Khan, the Pune-based stud farm owner facing charges of money laundering and tax evasion.

In the CD made in 2008 — Khan had been arrested in a fake passport case — the businessman purportedly spoke about his proximity to state home minister RR Patil and other Congress and NCP leaders. He also claimed the decision to appoint Hasan Gafoor as Mumbai Commissioner was taken during a meeting between him and certain leaders from the two parties.

A state home ministry official on Monday said action was taken against Ashok Deshbhratar, deputy police commissioner (GRP), after a preliminary probe by the CID concluded that the sting CD leaked to the media was “doctored” and key references were edited to sensationalise the matter.

The CID report revealed Khan’s interrogation was taped using a spy cam and it is suspected that the IPS officer used the device, the official said.

Deshbhratar’s suspension caused a storm in the Assembly with BJP legislator Devendra Fadnavis claiming that action was taken because the officer (on March 15) had asked for permission to intervene in a case against Khan in SC. Opposition leader Eknath Khadse said Khan told Deshbhratar about the black money that he deposited in the Swiss bank on behalf of the state politicians. “This is injustice against a Dalit officer who is trying to help the country in tax evasion case.”